In the midst of her quest for a historic fourth consecutive French Open title, Iga Swiatek, Poland’s tennis sensation, took a moment on June 2, 2025, to embody a message of hope and civic duty. The world No. 5, known for her dominance on the clay courts of Roland Garros, paused her tournament preparations to cast her vote in the Polish presidential elections at the Polish Institute in Paris. Wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with “Radical Optimism,” a nod to pop star Dua Lipa’s tour and album, Swiatek shared the moment on Instagram, blending her athletic prowess with a powerful statement of engagement. The image captured her standing proudly at the voting booth, a beacon of inspiration during a tightly contested election that saw conservative historian Karol Nawrocki edge out Warsaw’s liberal mayor Rafal Trzaskowski with 50.9% of the vote.
Swiatek’s connection to Dua Lipa’s music runs deep, serving as both a mental reset and a source of motivation. Days before the French Open began on May 25, 2025, the 24-year-old attended Lipa’s Radical Optimism Tour at Paris La Défense Arena, dancing to hits like “Training Season” and “Electricity.” “I still remember when almost ten years ago I was traveling from one tournament to another and ‘Be the One’ was constantly on the radio,” Swiatek shared, reflecting on how Lipa’s music has been a constant companion in her tennis journey. This connection proved pivotal in 2022 when, trailing in a fourth-round match against Qinwen Zheng, Swiatek sang Lipa’s songs in her head to clear her mind, ultimately turning the match around to win her second French Open title. “I felt like my mind is a little bit more clear,” she recalled of that moment, a strategy that helped her stay composed under pressure.
The 2025 season has been a rollercoaster for Swiatek, marked by a dip in form that saw her drop to No. 5 in the WTA rankings, her lowest in over three years. A one-month doping suspension in 2024 for a contaminated melatonin supplement, which she described as leaving her “crying daily” as her career hung in the balance, compounded challenges like parting ways with long-time coach Tomasz Wiktorowski and sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz. “After six years of achieving the greatest successes in my career, Daria Abramowicz and I have decided to end our cooperation,” Swiatek announced in April, signaling a shift as she began working with new coach Wim Fissette. Losses in Stuttgart, Madrid, and Rome—to Jelena Ostapenko, Coco Gauff, and Danielle Collins, respectively—raised doubts about her Roland Garros prospects. Yet, Swiatek has silenced critics with a commanding run to the quarterfinals, losing just one set in four matches, including a 6-1, 6-2 rout of Emma Raducanu and a stunning 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 comeback against Elena Rybakina. “I think I needed that kind of win to feel these feelings that I’m able to win under pressure,” she said after the Rybakina match, highlighting her renewed confidence.
Swiatek’s off-court actions reflect her commitment to making a difference. Her 2022 charity exhibition in Krakow, alongside Elina Svitolina, raised over €500,000 for Ukrainian children affected by war, a cause close to her heart. Wearing a blue-and-yellow ribbon on her hat at Roland Garros, she continues to honor Ukraine, a gesture that resonates as she prepares to face Svitolina in the quarterfinals. “This place inspires me and makes me work harder,” Swiatek said of Roland Garros, where her 25-match winning streak is the longest among women in the 21st century. Her pre-tournament visit to Lipa’s concert was a deliberate mental reset after a third-round loss in Rome. “After Rome, I had a lot of time to think about how I played and what my attitude was,” she explained, emphasizing her focus on a more energetic mindset.
As Swiatek balances her title defense with civic engagement, her “radical optimism” embodies resilience and purpose. The Polish election, a nail-biter decided by a 1.8% margin, underscored the importance of every vote, and Swiatek’s participation sent a powerful message to her millions of followers. With a potential semifinal against top seed Aryna Sabalenka looming, Swiatek’s blend of on-court tenacity and off-court conviction makes her a formidable force. As she chases a fifth Grand Slam title, her ability to draw inspiration from music, community, and duty ensures she remains a champion in every sense.
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